
New Era Cap Introduces 2024 Collections for MLB Season
Each team will tell its franchise story by the design of its batting practice cap.

Outdoor Cap Hires Promo and OC Sport Rep
With over 30 years working in the sports and promo industry, Pat Foster is Outdoor Caps Promo and OC Sports rep covering the Pacific Northwest.

January U.S. Census Bureau Retail Data Shows Consumers ‘Still Engaged’
January prices for goods reportedly came down, which affects sales figures even if the same number of items are sold, and increased prices for services pulled dollars away from retail purchases.

Authentic Inks Reebok UK/Ireland Apparel License with Source Sport
This partnership will deliver an expanded range of Reebok apparel that aligns with consumers’ active lifestyles in the UK and Ireland.

EXEC: Yeti Hires Layne Rigney to Oversee Softgoods and Mystery Ranch
An industry veteran, most recently, Rigney was a board member at Sea to Summit and Marucci Sports but shifted his focus to the Yeti role in January 2023.

Crocs Inc. Sees Q4 Growth Slow as N.A. Wholesale Declines
Fourth quarter revenues were $960 million, an increase of just 1.6 percent, or 1.5 percent on a constant-currency (CC) basis, from the corresponding period in 2022. North America Wholesale declined 5.1 percent in Q4.

Skechers U.S.A. Completes a Retail 5K on Way to Store Number 10,000
Expanding its international store count, key store openings for Skechers leading up to the milestone are in Chile, Greece, India, Mexico, South Korea, the United States, and the 5,000th store in Bogotá, Colombia.

EXEC: Champion’s Q4 Sales Fall 30 Percent in U.S.; Restructuring Hits Profits
Global Champion brand sales decreased 23 percent year-over-year on a reported basis, and 24 percent on a constant-currency basis in the fourth quarter.

Arvin Goods Sock Collection Leads Change in Sustainable Production
The latest launch features crew socks made from 79 percent recycled materials, including 43 percent recycled polyester and 36 percent Recover recycled cotton fiber, saves up to 18 gallons of water per pair compared to a pair made with conventional cotton.

EXEC: Sportchek, Mark’s and Helly Hansen all Down in Q4; Only Helly Up for Year
Canadian Tire’s SportChek segment, which includes the SportChek, Sports Experts, Atmosphere, Pro Hockey Life, Sports Rousseau, and Hockey Experts retail brands, saw comparable sales in the fourth quarter decline 6.4 percent.

Hanesbrands, Inc. Cutting 159 Jobs, Closing NC Distribution Center
HBI plans to permanently lay off another 159 workers in April when it repurposes a DC in Winston-Salem, NC, according to a WARN notice sent to the state of North Carolina on February 5, with an effective date of April 5, 2024.

Forward Outdoor Under New Management with Industry Veterans
Industry pros Tony McWilliam and Lionnel Ducruet bring fresh vision to brand with new 2024/25 collection.

Hartford Sales Group Appoints New Rep for NorCal Coast
Mark Blesius joined the award-winning agency, covering the Northern California Coast. Blesius was, most recently, the senior regional account manager covering the Southwest region for Asics America.

EXEC: Brands Act Fast on PFAS Changes as EPA Proposes New National Rules
California-based Liberated said this week it deployed an initial assessment of its Spyder products resulting in a multiple-season plan to phase out PFAS from its branded skiwear, joining other brands making the hard choice in 2024.

VF Corp. Aligns with Activist Investor, Appoints New Indie Board Member
VF will appoint another independent director to the Board in the near term, mutually agreed with Engaged Capital and will prioritize considering the candidates identified by Engaged Capital.